SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance Abuse poses a significant public health threat to the residents of
Travis County. The impact of substance abuse affects various social and health
problems, including: employment, crime, poverty, family preservation, and chronic
and communicable diseases. The coordinated delivery of substance abuse prevention/intervention
and treatment services and the utilization of best practice approaches have
proven to be cost-effective in reducing the impact of substance abuse on communities.
Specifically, the National Institute for Drug Abuse indicates that for every
dollar spent on drug use prevention, communities can save 4 to 5 dollars in
costs for drug abuse treatment and counseling. Similarly, drug treatment reduces
drug use by 40 to 60 percent and significantly decreases criminal activity during
and after treatment.
The Substance Abuse Planning Partnership created the attached matrix, which
outlines overall strategies for addressing the following issues:
INCREASE TREATMENT CAPACITY TO MEET UNMET NEEDS
Travis County has experienced a reduction in treatment capacity resulting from
the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) and TDCJ-CJAD TAIP funding
reductions. Accordingly, the current capacity to treat those who need and want
treatment is inadequate to meet the demand for services. Current service capacity
will need to be maintained, and in some cases, increased to impact the health
and social problems attributed to substance abuse. The treatment needs of special
populations are especially challenging and complex. Special populations such
as dually diagnosed, elderly, HIV+, homeless, offenders, pregnant/parenting
women, and youth are especially vulnerable to the consequences of substance
abuse. Lengthy waiting times for treatment slots can result in increased harm
and reduced motivation for treatment.
IMPLEMENT IINTERVENTION AND CRISIS STABILIZATION STRATEGIES
Crisis stabilization can provide a cost-effective strategy for addressing the
health needs of persons who are publicly intoxicated or under the influence
of substances. Currently, city departments such as police and fire are using
limited resources to respond to, transport, and arrest public intoxicants. Planning
efforts are currently underway to identify the feasibility of implementing a
Sobriety Center. A Sobriety Center will provide a safe environment for persons
under the influence of substances to become sober and access substance abuse
treatment and ancillary services. In addition, a Sobriety Center can successfully
divert costs from other governmental departments, while more effectively meeting
the needs of substance abusers.
Brief interventions have been identified as an effective strategy for reducing
substance use and ultimately reducing harm and can be incorporated into primary
care settings or social service settings to encourage patients to stop or reduce
drug use. For those waiting for treatment availability, interventions can provide
an effective prelude to substance abuse treatment.
IMPLEMENT A COORDINATED PREVENTION PLAN
Travis County has experienced a reduction in prevention services as the result
of decreased TCADA funding in Travis County. In addition, there is no coordinated
plan for the delivery of prevention services. While various community-based
organizations are delivering prevention services to youth and young adults,
the absence of a collaborative strategic plan has resulted in a fragmented service
delivery system. This fragmentation may be preventing those at highest risk
from receiving the appropriate services.
INVEST IN AND IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES
The identification of "best practices" has provided the substance
abuse field with rigorously evaluated and scientifically supported guidelines
and methodologies for improving cost effectiveness and program quality. Best
practice implementation results in improved client outcomes and efficient use
of limited funding resources. Developing funding criteria based upon best practices
can enhance the extent of best practice implementation. Currently, there is
a lack of information identifying the extent of provider best practice knowledge
or implementation. In addition, funding criteria has not systematically addressed
the need to purchase and invest in best practices.
THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PLANNING PROCESS
A Substance Abuse Needs Assessment was completed in April 2, 2001. In order
to identify current conditions and needs, the Substance Abuse Planning Partnership,
representing a broad array of interested parties/stakeholders of substance abuse
prevention/intervention and treatment services in Travis County, met to identify
and prioritize the urgent substance abuse issues.
THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE MATRIX
The attached matrix represents the urgent issues, solutions and actions recommended
to effectively address the issue of substance abuse. Where possible, human and
financial investment opportunities and existing resources have been identified
to assist in attaining the desired results. The solutions and actions identified
in the matrix are designed to provide a blueprint for substance abuse services
planning.
The Substance Abuse Planning Partnership is the contact for this document.
The committee may be contacted through Randy Consford, Austin Travis County
MHMR, at (512) 445-7775 or e-mail: randy.consford@atcmhmr.com.
2001 Urgent Issues Action Plan Home Page
